The most important step after a car accident is seeking medical attention. When your adrenaline is still pumping after a traumatic situation, you may not yet realize the extent of your injuries.
Having a professional look you over after an accident can save you time, money, and lots of pain and suffering down the road.
In fact, depending on your condition, you may not be given a choice of whether you go to the hospital or how you get there. One of the most common questions we’re asked is who pays for the ambulance in a car accident?
Who Pays For The Ambulance In A Car Accident — Key Takeaways
- The primary factor in deciding who pays for the ambulance in a car accident is who was at fault for the collision. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance is responsible for paying for your ambulance ride and the rest of your medical bills.
- If you were at fault, your health or car insurance may cover it. But you may also have to pay for it out of pocket.
- Some car insurance policies offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which may cover the ambulance cost regardless of who’s at fault for the wreck. That said, PIP isn’t available in every state.
- If you fail to find coverage for the medical bill, the ambulance provider may file a lien, allowing them to take a part of your settlement to pay back the bill.
- If you don’t receive a settlement and the ambulance provider sues you for the cost of the bill, the court can take money from your paychecks or seize property to repay the cost of the bill.
This article goes in-depth on who pays for the ambulance in a car accident. We’ll cover different ways of paying the ambulance bill and how long you have to pay it. Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of a free attorney consultation in helping you explore your options.
The other driver’s insurance company might try to convince you you were responsible for the accident to get out of paying the bills. At Zinda Law Group, our experienced car accident lawyers can assess the details of your crash and the insurance coverage of everyone involved. We’ll investigate the incident and tell you exactly your rights and options.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWho Pays for the Ambulance in a Car Accident if You’re At Fault?
In an at-fault state, the person responsible for paying for an ambulance in motorcycle accidents and car crashes is the person who caused the crash. If you’re liable for the collision, your insurance policy might cover the cost of the ambulance ride.
If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP), your policy could cover the ambulance cost regardless of who’s at fault for the wreck. That said, PIP isn’t mandatory or even available in every state. If it’s not mandatory, you must proactively add it to your plan.
If your insurance policy doesn’t include ambulance coverage, you might qualify for legal assistance. We suggest you discuss the details of your accident in a free attorney consultation before you go into your pocket or contact your insurance company. A seasoned car accident lawyer can review the details and your policy and explain your rights before taking responsibility for a wreck you may not have caused.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWho Pays for the Ambulance in a Car Accident if You’re Not At Fault?
If you’re not at fault for the car accident, the negligent or careless driver’s insurance company pays for the ambulance. If the only reason you were in an ambulance was due to another person’s carelessness, their insurance is responsible for your losses, not yours.
In at-fault states, drivers must carry a minimum amount of insurance, which they pay for. The insurance company is responsible for reimbursing any costs their client’s careless actions caused.
Since the ambulance costs are directly related to the accident they caused, the at-fault driver’s insurance is who pays for the ambulance.
That said, insurance companies will use any tactic they can to get out of paying your settlement, including victim-blaming you for the accident. We’ll talk more later about the importance of a free attorney consultation with a seasoned car accident lawyer before negotiating with the other driver’s insurance.
If an ambulance is called, who pays for the ambulance if you didn’t call it?
Ambulance companies typically bill the person they perform services on. Whether they transported you or just checked your blood pressure, you’re the person they’ll bill. They may even charge a fee just for being dispatched, even if you refused treatment and aren’t the person who called.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationHow Do I Pay My Ambulance Bill After a Car Accident?
A few options are available to help you pay your ambulance bill after a car accident. These options include health insurance, direct doctor agreements, car insurance, and payment plans.
If you have health insurance, your health insurance may pay for your treatment as you go, often just leaving you with copays. However, it’s important to know the details of your specific health insurance to know whether you have to meet a deductible.
Insurance companies may only offer a one-time payment after a victim agrees to settle his or her case. They know how overwhelming medical bills can get after a car accident and often use despair to push you to resolve a case for a smaller amount than you’re entitled to. Consult a seasoned car accident lawyer to explore your options and understand your rights.
How do I pay for an ambulance after a motorcycle accident?
Certain motorcycle insurance coverages can help you pay for medical treatment, whether the accident was your fault. Suppose your plan includes Personal Injury Protection or Medical Payment coverage. In that case, they’ll help pay for all the medical bills, including the bill for the ambulance, that the motorcycle accident caused you.
But if you weren’t responsible for the accident, the negligent driver’s insurance may be liable to compensate you for all your financial, physical, mental, and medical damages.
The best option to help pay for the medical treatment you need varies a lot from case to case. At Zinda Law Group, we counsel victims about all the options available during our free attorney consultation.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationCan You Pay the Ambulance Bill After Your Case is Settled?
An experienced car accident lawyer can give the ambulance company a Letter of Protection on your behalf, promising to pay the bill once your settlement is received. Without this letter from your attorney, they may charge you late fees or turn the bill over to a collections agency.
How long do I have to pay my ambulance bill?
It varies from hospital to hospital, but like most medical bills, most ambulance bills are due 30 days after you receive them. That said, they’re often willing to negotiate and set up monthly payment plans that prevent them from charging late fees or sending your case to collections.
Final thoughts on Who Pays for the Ambulance — Here’s How Zinda Law Group Can Help
Determining who pays for the ambulance in a car accident. It all comes down to who caused the crash. Even so, if you needed an ambulance, it’s because you were injured.
A car accident victim should only have to worry about treatment and taking all the necessary steps to get back to their everyday life. Yet insurance companies will victim-blame you to lower or get out of settlement payments.
At Zinda Law Group, we think you should be able to focus on recovery. We offer 100% free consultations, where we’ll look at the details and if it’s fair for you to pay the ambulance bill after your accident. And we’ll do the leg work of taking care of the bills while you rest and recover.
What’s more, you only pay a percentage of the settlement if we win. That’s our No Fee Guarantee. If you or a loved one faces ambulance bills after a car accident, call Zinda Law Group at (888) 671-5127 for a 100% free case evaluation with our personal injury attorneys.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
